"Pieck, you mean to say…"
"Not likely," Bertholdt muttered after a moment. "You and I both know what kind of person Roger is. Does he look like someone who works with others? Has he ever done that?"
"But it's not impossible," Annie said. "He and I are the same type. But if working with others truly benefitted me, I wouldn't hesitate to take that chance."
"What do you think, Reiner?" Pieck asked.
"…We wait." Reiner still didn't dare move recklessly. He was their leader—every decision tied directly to their survival.
So, they waited.
"Roger won't last long. He'll burn out patching that Wall. Trap or no trap, it won't matter. We're already inside."
"I agree with Reiner," Pieck nodded. "Our priority is infiltrating deeper. Once we're in, we can reassess."
"Alright!"
Bertholdt answered, and the four began moving toward the Wall's interior.
Then—pssst! Gas hissed in the air.
They turned, spotting soldiers in green cloaks streaking past, white wings emblazoned on their backs, strange devices strapped to their legs.
Blades in hand, they flew with practiced formation straight into the Titans.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
Titans fell one by one, sliced apart with deadly precision. There were few of them, but their skill was terrifying—nothing like the fumbling Garrison troops earlier.
"These must be their elite," Reiner muttered.
"Probably. And we saw them outside the Walls before too," Pieck said without thinking.
Reiner froze.
"Pieck, why did you say the people outside the Walls were them?"
"Hm?" Pieck blinked. "Because of their insignia. Wings, on their backs. I remember it clearly. And also…"
"What?"
"There's something I never said. I wasn't sure before."
"Go ahead," Reiner urged.
Pieck thought carefully, then said, "When I first saw those soldiers… I think I saw someone who looked very much like Roger. On horseback."
"You saw Roger?!"
"Just very similar. I can't be certain."
"Come on, their uniforms are all the same. And from that distance, how could you possibly see his face?" Bertholdt snapped back, sweat beading on his brow.
Annie stayed silent, flipping her ring to reveal the hidden blade.
"I didn't see his face. But you said it yourself—their clothes were the same. All except Roger."
Her eyes narrowed toward the Jaw Titan at the Wall.
"…Roger's grandmother was a seamstress. She made his clothes. I saw them many times in Marley. I remember."
Her words stunned them. They had trained together for years, but never realized Pieck noticed such details.
"So that means…"
A chill crept down Reiner's spine. His gaze swept from the flying soldiers, to Roger, tirelessly patching the Wall.
And indeed—none of the soldiers attacked him. They were helping, clearing Titans around him.
Which meant—
"We've been tricked!" Reiner roared.
He raised his hand to his mouth, stepping forward.
The others cried out, trying to stop him.
But Reiner shook them off and strode alone.
"Comrades, Roger has already allied with the people inside the Walls—maybe even the Founding Titan! If we infiltrate now, we'll walk into assassins and traps. Better to fight here, now! Bertholdt!"
"Reiner! You mean to fight?! Right now?!" Bertholdt shouted, sweat dripping down his face.
"You and Pieck hide. Annie and I will strike first, do everything we can to eliminate Roger. If we can't… then you use it."
"You mean… that?"
"I'm counting on you, Bertholdt."
"…I understand, Reiner."
Reiner's eyes turned to Pieck.
Before he spoke, Pieck nodded.
"I'll make sure you all get out alive."
"Then I'm counting on you."
With that, Reiner charged, biting into his hand.
A golden flash erupted, and the Armored Titan appeared once more, pounding straight toward the Jaw Titan.
But from the quick transformation, he was already strained, forced to shed plating from his legs to lighten the load.
---
Meanwhile, the Survey Corps soared toward the Jaw Titan.
"All units, hear my command! Support, but do not approach that Titan directly! While he fills the breach and draws fire, cut down as many Titans as possible!"
"Yes, sir!"
Erwin led from the front, scattering his men through the chaos of Shiganshina.
Deep down, he already suspected who the Titan at the gate was.
"Titans truly are humans," he murmured, remembering his father's words.
His mouth curved into a rare smile, noticed by the men at his side.
Once the surrounding threat was gone, he swore he would capture this Titan and extract the truth.
But before the thought settled, the ground shook again.
The Armored Titan had returned, bursting into view.
"Commander!"
"The Armored Titan!"
"Commander! What do we do?! Give us the order!"
"Say the word! We'll follow you to the death!"
Erwin drew both blades.
"Here's the truth: Titans are humans. Nothing to fear! Soldiers! For the fallen, for our home—draw your swords! Give your hearts! With me—annihilate them all!"
Shing! Shing-shing-shing!
Steel flashed. Soldiers roared as they charged the Armored Titan.
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